Igniting Our Passion: KIDS Club Passion Test Workshop

Although the main activities of KIDS Club are geared towards community outreach projects and volunteering, strengthening camaraderie amongst the members is also of high value. The club believes that this would also strengthen the commitments of the members to help the club achieve its goals. Hence aside from community outreach projects, various club activities for the members are also being organised.

On 14 November 2015, a Passion Test Workshop was conducted to help the members discover, review, and reaffirm the things they want to pursue. It was held at Silid Aralan’s KIDS Toy Library in Kasiglahan Village Elementary School, San Jose, Rodriguez Rizal.

Aside from the club members, 10 learners from Silid Aralan and some volunteers also participated. The workshop was facilitated by Ms. KC Boter, a certified Passion Test Facilitator and the person behind Love Mondays Project.

Ms. KC Boter giving an overview at the beginning of the Passion Test Workshop

Participants introducing themselves

At the beginning of the workshop, the participants were grouped into tandem (1 adult and 1 learner). They were then asked to list down 10 things they want to achieve or pursue in the future. With their partners, each participant ranked their goals according to priority.

Partners getting to know each other

Ranking of Priorities

After the said exercise, the participants also had a brief open discussion wherein they shared their experiences, goals, and things that they are thankful of.

Sharing of realizations and feedbacks during the Open Discussion

KIDS Club with Ms. KC Boter and SAI learners and volunteers

Here are some of the members’ feedback from the said workshop:

“ The workshop was awesome… we had so many learnings and realisations.”

– Lirio Geronomino

“The workshop helped me reassess my goals and future plans. Partnering with a young adult also gave me a different perspective in ranking the things I want to pursue. I was also impressed with the determination of my partner to work hard in order to have a better future.”

– Evalyn Evangelista

KIDS Club President Evalyn Evangelista and VP Shiela Yee awarding the Certificate and Token of Appreciation to Ms. KC Boter

Below is a repost of the article about the workshop written by Ms. KC Boter. The original copy can also be accessed through her website, Love Mondays Project.

Almost a month ago, I was in the room of Kasiglahan Village Elementary School of Rizal to volunteer to setup a playroom for the kids. It was a collaboration project among KIDS Club, Silid Aralan Inc. and Philippine Toy Library. I painted the shelves and helped in tidying the room. Like everyone else who volunteered, I left the place with so much joy in my heart because I know that the kids will be delighted to play with toys and read books in this happy space.

Last Saturday, I was invited to share The Passion Test with the members of KIDS Club and kids of Silid Aralan Inc. I couldn’t believe how each workshop brings new experiences. I’ve already conducted the program several times, but this one was special. The classroom brought a sense of nostalgia. It reminded me of the years I spent studying and the eagerness I had when I was a kid. The participants made me comfortable the moment I stepped in front to speak. They were a mix of young and young at heart.

Before I started, I was requested to speak in Filipino. I couldn’t think of the exact translation of the word passion. Imagine, I wanted to use yung sinisigaw ng puso mo (what your heart truly desires) but good thing the participants were so helpful.

The workshop started with an introduction, which included stating their name and sharing one good thing that happened to them in the week that has passed. Their sharing moved me in a way that I never expected.

Members of KIDS Club shared the “high” that they experienced in volunteering for the project and spending time with the kids. I guess, people with big hearts can only understand the kind of happiness they feel when they go out of their way to work on selfless projects like this.

The kids of Silid Aralan Inc. expressed their gratefulness about the simple things. When I heard about how a friend’s birthday, a win by Golden State Warriors, a badminton game, and a set of high grades made them happy, I was taken aback. For a moment, I asked myself, who am I to complain about the challenges that I encounter in life? I was reminded again that happiness can be found in the simplest things.

Participants were asked to list down the things that are most important to them. This is my favorite part of the program. I’ve always been curious about other people’s passions. When I looked at their list, I was not surprised that most of them wrote passions related to their families. Their list included these:

When my life is ideal I am happy living with my family.

When my life is ideal I am providing my family’s daily needs.

When my life is ideal I have money to cover my family’s travel expenses.

When I found out that participants were from different age groups, I panicked. Ages were from 13 to 50+ years old. I thought it wouldn’t work out, but it turned out great. Older participants felt an unexplainable feeling of relief and inspiration when they were paired with a younger participant. Just the same, the older participants guided the young ones in the activities.

At the end of the workshop, the participants were allowed to ask questions. I was stunned because it was my first time to answer questions about personal matters. It triggered memories about how the last seven months of my life went by. I was reminded of the big decisions I made, people I met and wonderful experiences that changed my life.

When the workshop ended, a number of participants came up to me to thank me. I appreciate their praises and commendations, but like in any other workshops that I did, I always tell them that I was the one who was blessed more.

People like them are my inspiration of why I am doing the things that I do now. They are a constant reminder of why turning my back from my corporate job was and will always be worth it.

Contents and pictures in this blog are owned by the club unless otherwise stated. Should you be interested in copying or reposting an article or picture, please provide a link back to our original post or blog. For comments; queries; and suggestions, please feel free to email at info(at)kidsclubphilippines(dot)org